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The season starts Saturday, September 22nd, and practices for Recreational teams start two weeks before the first game.
There is no single club practice time. Practices times are up to the coach and the team. Typically, practices are Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday for most teams. Practices normally start at 5:30, 6:00 or 6:30, but may not begin before 5:00.
Where are Practices?
ASA coaches use a variety of fields primarily in Odenton and Millersville, but also in Crofton and Gambrills. Many practices are at Waugh Chapel Elementary, Arundel Middle or Millersville Elementary.
Recreational program games are on Saturdays and generally run from 9:00 through 1:00. Games are 1 hour in Rec with qurter and half breaks. County games are typically scheduled during the afternoon on Saturdays in Fall and Sundays in Spring, but some age group schedules may vary.
Where are Games
Rec Program games are at Arundel Middle School. Periodically games can be held at Waugh Chapel Elementary, and in the event of poor weather, ASA may make arrangements for teams to play indoors at SoccerDome 2 in Harmons or Maryland SportsPlex on Benefield Road in Millersville. County games are held in various towns in the county, but the ASA home field is usually Millersville Elementary School for 7v7 and 9v9.
Do young kids play soccer?
Clinic players from ages 4 1/2 through 5 learn soccer and play games like everyone else. They do not just practice. The clinic program plays two simultaneous 4v4 small sided-games with goals and no goalie so that players can get the maximum amount of touches with the ball in a game as possible. Clinic players learn soccer, get uniforms and transition to 7v7 format with a keeper at the Juniors program level.
The ASA Mini-Strikers players from age 3 to 4 1/2 also practice and play games each Saturday, with small sided games always at 3v3 or maximum 4v4.
In all Rec programs, no scores are kept. The focus is on leaning skills, playing the game and having fun. We want to build their enjoyment of the game, and real competition begins later. Do kids know the scores of a game - just ask them!
When does ASA reach its player limit?
ASA does not have a player limit. We make teams for kids, not the other way around. If a kid wants to play soccer, he or she is in! The only potential exception is in the county league where the teams must be registered with AA County before the season starts and also where upper division teams may roster based on tryouts. If enough players register on time for county without a team, we will form a team. All Premier teams are based on tryouts.
Mini-Strikers participation is based on available assistant coaches and may be limited.
Can I make a Special Request?
Yes. You can ask for a specific coach, a preferred practice night or to play with friends. We try hard to meet requests, since it makes the season easier for ASA, the families and the kids.
It may not be easy, but we try to make it work. For county teams, we can not fill beyond roster size limits. County players are encouraged to register early! For Rec teams, we can usually make sure a kid gets to play, although the family may have fewer options. There is no late fee - that's not the point. We want your children to play if we can work it out.
ASA is an all-volunteer, non-profit club, and we sincerely appreciate any help with teams or the club. We don't mandate volunteers or make you pay however - the first priority is that you bring your children to practice and to the games and and have a good time.
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